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The administration of US President Donald Trump has officially confirmed direct talks with the Hamas terrorist organisation. This was announced by White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt, The Times Of Israel reports.
According to her, the negotiation process is being led by Special Envoy for Hostages Adam Beller, who has all the necessary authority to engage in dialogue with any party to protect US interests and rescue American citizens.
Carolyn Levitt stressed that before the talks began, the Trump administration held consultations with Israel, although some of the details of the negotiations remained unknown even to the Israeli leadership.
“We have consulted with Israel on the possibility of direct talks with Hamas. Engaging with different parties around the world to protect Americans is something the president believes in and has already proven in practice,” Levitt said.
However, she refused to specify whether the talks were solely about the release of American hostages or whether they also included Trump’s broader plan for negotiations on Gaza. Levitt only added that “discussions are ongoing” and that “the lives of U.S. citizens are at stake.”
Currently, at least five American citizens remain in the Gaza Strip, both as living hostages and bodies of the dead, who continue to be held by Hamas militants.
Direct dialogue with Hamas remains an unprecedented step for the United States, as the organisation has been officially listed as a terrorist organisation since 1997. However, Washington currently considers this format to be the only way to return its citizens home and find ways to end the war in Gaza.
